Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra

The Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra (also known in English as the SWR Baden-Baden and Freiburg Symphony Orchestra or SWR Symphony Orchestra, and in German as the Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks or SWR Sinfonieorchester) is a radio orchestra located in the German cities of Baden-Baden and Freiburg. The first incarnation of the orchestra occurred in 1946, initially with members of the discontinued spa orchestra of the city as the core of players. The revival of the spa orchestra two years later forced the reorganization of the radio orchestra. Subsequently, Hans Rosbaud was hired as the orchestra's first chief conductor. Rosbaud was already well known as a champion of modern music, and Heinrich Strobel, the music director in charge of the orchestra, shared this sympathy with contemporary music. Thus the orchestra had, and continues to have, as its focus performances of modern music.[1]

The orchestra was first sponsored by Südwestfunk (SWF), a public broadcasting corporation headquartered in Baden-Baden. In 1998 SWF merged into Südwestrundfunk ("Southwest Broadcasting"), which took over responsibility for the orchestra. The current chief conductor is François-Xavier Roth, beginning with the 2011-2012 season. Michael Gielen, chief conductor from 1986 to 1999, has the title of Ehrendirigent (conductor laureate) with the orchestra.

One of the most widely heard recordings by this orchestra was Ligeti's Atmospheres conducted by Ernest Bour on the 2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack. The orchestra has also recorded commercially for the Hänssler label, including music of Messiaen[2], Bartók[3], Stravinsky[4], Schoenberg[5], and Wolfgang Rihm.[6] [7] [8]

References

  1. ^ Potts, Joseph E., "European Radio Orchestras: Western Germany" (September 1955). The Musical Times, 96 (1351): 473-475.
  2. ^ Andrew Clements (2003-06-05). "Messiaen: Eclairs sur l'Au-delà: SWR Symphony Baden-Baden and Freiburg/ Cambreling". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2003/jun/06/classicalmusicandopera.shopping3. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  3. ^ Andrew Clements (2006-06-29). "Bartok: Four Pieces Op 12; Violin Concerto No 1; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Ostertag/SWR SO Baden-Baden & Freiburg/Gielen". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/jun/30/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  4. ^ Andrew Clements (2006-09-14). "Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements; Symphony in C, etc, WDR Radio Choir Cologne / SWRSO Baden-Baden/ Gielen". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/sep/15/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  5. ^ Andrew Clements (2007-07-19). "Schoenberg: Gurrelieder, Diener/ Naef/ Smith/ MDR Leipzig & Bavarian Radio Choirs/ SWR SO Baden- Baden/ Gielen". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/jul/20/classicalmusicandopera.shopping4. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  6. ^ Andrew Clements (2007-05-17). "Rihm: Music for Oboe and Orchestra; Styx und Lethe; Dritte Musik; Erster Doppelgesang, Ott/ Fels/ Schneider/ Fukai/ Grimmer/ SWR SO Baden-Baden/ Zender/ Gielen/ Latham-Koenig". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/may/18/classicalmusicandopera.shopping. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  7. ^ Andrew Clements (2008-01-24). "Rihm: Dis-Kontur; Sub-Kontur; Lichtzwang, Negyesy/ SWR SO Baden Baden & Freiburg/ Cambreling/ Bour". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jan/25/classicalmusicandopera.shopping2. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 
  8. ^ Andrew Clements (2010-01-28). "Rihm: Quid Est Deus; Ungemaltes Bild; Frau/Stimme – Siebert/Fugiss/SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart/SWR SO/Cambreling/Goldmann/Gielen". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jan/28/wolfgang-rihm-hanssler-cd-review. Retrieved 2011-09-28. 

Chief conductors

External links